Treatment of Athlete’s foot often depends on the severity of the fungal infection. Precaution steps taken to prevent re-infection must be considered. There are several types of over-the-counter antifungal medications that can be used to treat most common cases of Athlete’s foot. However, over-the-counter antifungal treatment plans usually fail due to the contagious nature of most fungal infections. The lack of preventive measures is often the downfall of over the counter antifungal medications because the fungal infection is never fully treated. Patients often continue to re-infect themselves with the same type of fungus. Athlete’s foot fungus is contagious.
Fungal infections present either in between the toes, toenails, or on the soles and heels of the feet. Most fungal infection typically progress slowly and are treated with antifungal creams and sprays which are applied after the feet are cleaned and dried in the morning and at night. After the initiation of treatment of any fungal infection, it is important to keep the feet clean and dry. It is imperative to prevent the feet from being in a moist, damp environment.
In severe fungal infections oral antifungal medications combined with topical medications may be required. Patients who have long standing fungal infections of the foot often have very thickened skin which is untreatable by topical medications alone.
Athlete’s foot is can be an embarrassing and irritating fungal infection of the foot. If you have a long history of Athlete’s foot or suffer from dry and itchy feet, you should make an appointment to be evaluated by one of the doctors are Progressive Foot Care.
